Powder dispenser



July 8, 1941. w. s. FINNELL POWDER DISPENSER Filed Dec. 14, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i Un ng,... l

i @www July 8, 1941.

POWDER DISPENSER Filed Dec. 14, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 8, 1941. w. s. FxNNl-:LL

POWDER DISPENSER Filed Deo. 14, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 8,'1941. W s, FINNELL 2,248,700

I POWDER DISPENSER Fiied Dec. 14, i939 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented July 8, 1941 UIT STTES PATENT OFFICE POWDER DISPENSER Walter S. Finnell, Elkhart, Ind., assignor to Finnell System, Inc., Elkhart, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Application December 14, 1939, Serial No. 309,125

(Cl. B21-136) 14 Claims.

element controls the discharge opening AthereofA and serves to prevent any discharge of the powder except when operated.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects are eifectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application for Floor scrubbing machine, Serial No. 135,291, filed April 6, 1937.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation, partly in section, of one form of my improved powder dispenser showing the driving mechanism for the agitators in the powder container and the measuring elements in the discharge conduits.

Fig. 2 is asectional elevation of the dispenser taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4 4 in Fig. 3,

looking toward the under side of the powder con-l .tainer.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3 showing the adjustable feature provided on one of the gates for controlling the powder flow through the associated conduit.

Figs. 6 and 7 are Views looking at the under side of the powder container, or in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 3, showing the closed and fully opened positions, respectively, of the gates.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a further modification of my improved dispenser.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the lower portion of the dispenser as viewed in the direction of the arrow 9 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View of the lower portion of the container, as viewed in Fig. 9, showing the star wheel in a different position and its capacity for preventing discharge of the powder in any stationary position.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of modified star wheel for use in' a straight wall passage and having the same characteristics as the wheel shown in Fig. 9.

Certain features of the type of dispenser illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, are described and claimed in the aforesaid copending application in relation to a iioor scrubbing machine equipped with a plurality of brushes, the claimed features pertaining to the devices forsecuring an equality of powder flow to each brush. However, there is embodied in the indicated construction a particular arrangement in the form of a wheel having pockets which possesses utility generally in the eld of powder dispensing in that the parts are designed to insure a discharge of the powder in a succession of substantially equal batches or increments. For example, a device of this character may be utilized as a dispenser for soap powder in wash rooms where an economical use of the powder is desired and it is therefore important that the dispenser issue the powder in Y measured amounts. The present application more particularly relates to that portion of the disclosure of the aforesaid copending application which -is characterized by the action just described, to modifications of this structure as disclosed in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, and also to certain other controlfeatures.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the powder dispenser comprises aV storage container I0 which is generally elongated in plan view and generally trough shaped in sectional profile, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. The container may be supported on any suitable frame indicated generally by the numeral I I.

The lower, inner wall surface of the container is rounded, as indicated by the numeral I2 in Fig. 2, and an agitator shaft I3 extends across the length of the container and projects through the end walls thereof for journal support in the frame II. A pair of agitators I4 is fixed to the shaft I3 adjacent the ends of the shaft (see Fig. 3) and each of these agitators is formed with a plurality of radially extending ngers I5, each of Ywhich terminates in curved flanges I6 which are disposed parallel to the shaft I3. These flanges operate relatively close to the curved bottom I2 of the container and during their rotation the powder is suliiciently agitated to prevent any any separation of the component elements as well as breaking up any lumps in the powder and preventing caking or bridging thereof.

The agitator shaft I3 projects beyond the left end of the container I0, as Viewed in Fig. 3, and

has keyed thereto a pinion I1 which is provided on its outer face with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs IB which are utilized for a driving engagement with parts hereinafter described. The pinion I1 meshes with a gear I9 that is secured to a shaft 2Q located below and in the same vertical plane that includes the shaft I3. The shaft is journaled in spaced lugs 2| depending from the bottom of the container II) at the ends thereof and has secured thereto star wheels 22 and 23 which respectively operate in downwardly extending passages 24 and 25 formed in the lugs 2l. The position of the shaft 20 is such that the peripheral points of each of the star wheels project in succession above the curved bottom of the container during the rotation of the shaft and each star wheel is in substantially vertical alignment, transversely of the container IIl, with the adjacent agitator I4.

A thin, at plate 2S is fastened to the underside of the lugs 2l and is provided with apertures 21 and 28 which register with and have substantially the same area as the passages 24 and 25, respectively, these apertures forming the 'supply outlet from the powder container.

It will be noted from Figs. 2, 3 and 4, that each star wheel fits snugly across the width of the associated passage and that its diameter is only slightly less than the length of the passage measured at its cross-section This condition, coupled with the pockets formed around each wheel by the radial wings and the projection of each wing above the bottom of the powder container when in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, insures the selection and delivery of a succession of powder plate 26, the pin 3E] being located to the right f of the aperture 21 and the width of the plate being such as to entirely mask the aperture 21 when the place occupies the position shown in Fig. 4, but when pivoted on the pin 3U, the ilow through the aperture 21 will depend upon the L:

then position of the gate 29. To the right of the pin 33, the gate 2S is reduced to form a parti-circular nose 3I which operates in a similarly shaped recess 32 provided on a flatV plate 33 that is pivoted on a pin 34 carried by the plate 25,

The plate 33 acts as a gate to control the movement of powder through the aperture 2B,

but this gate is modified, relative to the gate 29,

to include an adjustment that is constructed and arranged to insure that, for any angular movement of the gate 23 which results in an unmasking of the outlet 2'! to any extent, the same degree of unmasking'will be achieved with respect Y to the outlet 28. This construction, therefore, compensates for any discrepancies in the tting of the partsVsuch as might occur during manufacture and assembly, or that might subsequently occur by reason of wear. In this connection, it will be understood that the distance from the pin 3i) to the center of the outlet 21 is exactly equal to the distance from the pin 34 to the center of the outlet 23,`and since the gate plates 29 and 33 are interconnected at a point midway` between the pins 3D and 34, any angular movement imparted to the gate 29 will eiect an angular movement of the gate platev 33 rto the same extent.

The gate plate 33 terminates short of the supply outlet 23 and its top and bottom surfaces are embraced by a pair of spaced, top and bottom plates 35 and 36 which are brought into touching relation to form a gate member 31 that extends beyond and in masking relation to the outlet aperture 28. 'Ihe bottom plate 36 is slit transversely in two spaced locations, as indicated by thev numeral 38, and the portion between the slits is then bent downwardly to form a iianffe 39 which is slotted upwardly from the bottom edge thereof as indicated by the numeral 49 (see Fig. 8). The reduced threaded stem 4I of an adjusting screw 42 is rotatably mounted in the slot 4! and is also threaded through a stud pin 43 that is xedly mounted in the gate plate 33. The flange 39 is gripped between a nut 44 that is mounted on the reduced portion 4I and the enlarged hand grip portion of the adjusting screw 42. Accordingly, since the adjusting screw 42 cannot move relative to the gate 31 when the screw is rotated, it will move the gate 31 transversely and relative to the gate plate 33. By this adjustment, the gate 314 can be placed in a leading or retarded position relative to the pivoting of the gate plate 33 and, hence, for any given unmasking of the outlet 21 by the gate 29, it is possible to securethe same degree of unmasking of the outlet 28.

Integrally formed with the gate 29 and extending beyond the left end of the powder container, as viewed in Fig. 3, is a cam plate 45 that is provided with an L-shaped cam slot 46 composed of a slot porti-on 41 that is slightly angularly inclined to the gate 29 when the latter is occupying the closed position illustrated in Fig. 6, while the other slot portion 48 occupies an almost normal position relative to the same plate in the same position. A cam roller 49 operates in the slot 45 and is carried by the curved, lower end of a U-shaped yoke 58 whose limbs extend upwardly and are pivotally mounted on the frame II. The upper end of each yoke limb is provided with a roller 5I that operates in an annular channel on a collar 52 that is freely rotatable on and shiftable endwise relative to the shaft I3. 'I'he collar 52 is positioned in operating relation to the pinion I1 and the inner face of the collar is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 53 which are intended to engage with the lugs I8 to establish a driving connection with the pinion I1 A sprocket 54 is integrally formed with or otherwise connected to the collar 52 so as to partake of all movements of the latter and this sprocket may be appropriately driven by any suitable mechanism. The gate Y23, and accordingly the cam plate 45, is pivoted by means of an operating link 55 that may be suitably actuated in any desired manner.

In the operation of the dispenser, it will be obvious that whenever the sprocket 54 is rotated, it and the collar 52 will idle loosely on the agitator shaft I3. Further, it will be assumed that the gate member 31 has been adjusted to insure an equal rate of flow through the outlets 21 and 28. Hence, when the link 55 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 7, the `ensuing movement `of the cam plate 45 moves the roller 33 along the slot portion 41. Because of the angular position of this slot portion, there is thus eifected a rapid endwise movement of the collar 52 toward the right to engage the lugs `I8 and 53 and thereby establish a driving connection with the agitator shaft I3 andrthrough the gears l1 and I9 with the star wheel shaft 20. The indicated traverse of the roller 49 in the slot portion 41 also effects in one wall 1l of the passage 62.

a partial unmasking of the outlets 21 and 28, but after the driving lugs 53 and I8 have been fully engaged, further endwise movement of the collar 5,2 is unnecessary. At this time, vthe cam roller 4Q begins moving through the slot portion 48, i. e., in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the shaft I3. Accordingly, the cam plate d5 may be further moved without affecting the then driving position of the collar 52.

The agitators I during rotation maintain the powder in the container I0 Vin a completely loosened and free ilowing condition and completely prevent any tendency of the powder to cake and bridge between the side walls of the container. Accordingly, the powder will readily fall by gravity into the passages 24 and 25Vand, during the rotation of the star Wheels 22 and 23, the

-powder will successively ll the pockets formed by the radial wingsof the wheels, so thatv there will be discharged by the dispenser a succession of powder batches which are substantially measured by the pockets of the star wheels. For small movements of the gates, iinal flow control is exercised by the gates, but for larger movem-ents, the powder flow is measured by the capacity of the star wheel pockets and the speed of rotation of this wheel.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 there is illustrated a further modication of my improved powder dispenser which may be employed, for example, in wash rooms and similar locations to dispense measured and equal amounts of soap powder.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 56 designates a powder container which is preferablye vertically disposed and whose open top may be closed by a hinged cover 51 and whose bottom wall may be curved, as generally indicated byV ythe numeral 58 in Fig. 8. At an appropriate distance above the bottom Wall an agitator shaft 59 is bridged between and journaled in the side walls of the container and has secured at an intermediate portion thereof an agitator 60 having diametrically opposed curved wings 6| whose movement through the powder mass acts to' loosen and maintain the powder in a free owing condition.

Asclearly indicated in Fig. 8, these agitator wings sweep relatively close to the curved bottom wall 53 and close to the upper end of a discharge passage 62. One end of the agitator shaft 59 has secured thereto a gear 63 which may be appropriately housed internally of the container 55 by a wall slide B having guides 65 fitting in grooves 66 in a wall of the container andfits lower end seating on a shoulder 61. The slide serves to separate the gear from the powder in the container. The gear meshes with a pinion 68 which is fast on a Vshaft 69 that is journaled in a web 1 depending from the wall 58 and also The shaft 69 projects beyond the pinion E58 and has secured thereto a hand wheel 12 while at the opposite end the shaft 69 extends into the passage 62 and has mounted thereon a star wheel 13 provided circumferentially with a plurality of equi-spaced wings 14.

As shown in Fig. 8, one pair of opposite side walls of the passage E2 t snugly against'the sides of the star wheel 13, while the other opposite pair of side walls are curved as indicated by the numeral to conform to the arc described by the peripheries of the wings 14 between the horizontal plane denoted by the dotted line 16 which includes the axis of the shaft down to a point represented by the numeral 11 which may markthe actual outlet of the passage 63 or be disposed at some convenient distance thereabove, as indicated in Fig. 9. Preferably, the star wheel is located so that its wings project aboveV the bottom of the container, thus assisting the .action of gravity in filling the pockets formedby the wings.

By reason of the foregoing construction whenever the hand wheel 12 is rotated, it will be noted that the powder in the container, 56 is loosened by the agitator 66 sufficiently to fall by gravity vinto successive pockets as presented by any pair of adjacent wings 1li and that, further, by reason of the conformation of the passage 62 with reference to the star wheel wings 1d, each ofy these pockets substantially measures equal batches of powder which are successively discharged through the outlet of the passage 62. Moreover, in the construction just described whenever the star wheel is not operating it acts to prevent any inadvertent leakage of the powder, and this condition holds true regardless of the position of the wheel 13 as shown in Fig. 10.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated a further modification showing the. possibility of controlling ilow through a straight sided passage 18 by means of a star wheel 19 having sufcient teeth or wings 8U to always insure sealing contact of certain of the wings with Ythe opposite side walls of the passage in any stationary position of the wheel.

My invention also comprehends the elimination of the agitators l5 or 6D depending upon the character of the material handled. It is contemplated that certain substances of a granular or non-caking or non-bridging nature may not require agitation, but may flow freely under the action of gravity to the discharge passage in which the starV wheel operates.

- I claim:

1 A dispenser for finely divided materials `comprising a container having a discharge pas- -able transversely of the passage and having a cam slot formed therein, and a pivotally mounted yoke between said clutch and gate, one end of said yoke engaging said clutch and the other end vof said yoke carrying a roller received in said cam slot. l

2. A dispenser for finely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of substantially vertical discharge passages and arranged for gravity flow of the material to both passages,

a gate for each passage, a vertical pivot for each gate, said gates being in pivotal engagement with each other for simultaneous movement; through substantially equal, angles and meansI for operating one of the gates to thereby simultaneously control the flow through both passages.

3. A' Adispenser for finely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of substantially vertical discharge passages and arranged for gravity ow of the material to both passages, an agitator operable in the major portion of the container to place the material in a loose and free iiowing condition, an agitator in each passage adapted to prevent packing of the material in and to feed the material through the passages, a pivotally mounted gate for each passage, said gates normally being in longitudinal alignment and being connected to each other medially of their pivots for simultaneous pivotal movement through equal angles in a plane transverse to said passages, and means for operating one of the gates to thereby simultaneously control the ow through both passages.

4. A dispenser for iinely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of substantially vertical discharge passages and arranged for gravity flow of the material to both passages, a pivotally mounted gate for each passage, said gates being movable in a plane transverse to said passages and having their pivots disposed between said passages, one of the gateshaving a portion transversely adjustable relative to said gate and its associated passage to vary the rate of iiow therethrough and to provide for a desired rate of iow relative to the rate of ow through the other passage, and means for eiecting si.- inultaneous operation of both gates.

5. A dispenser for finely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of spaced discharge passages and arranged for gravity ow of the material to both passages, a pivoted gate for each passage, the pivots of the gates lying between the passages, the gates being interconnected midway between their pivots for simultaneous movement through equal angles, and means for operating the gates, one of the gates having a part adjustable relative thereto and to the associated passage for establishing a desired rate of flow therethrough relative to the low rate through the other passage.

6. A dispenser for nely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of substantially vertical spaced discharge passages and arranged for gravity iiow of a material to yboth passages, separate agitators in the container and passages, respectively, for maintaining the material in a loosened condition, the passage agitators additionally feeding the material downwardly through the passage, driving means including a clutch adapted to transmit driving ef. fort to the agitators, a gate for each passage, means connecting said gates for simultaneous movement, and control means connected with said clutch and one of said gates arranged and constructed to preliminarily eiect engagement of the clutch of the driving means for the agitators and to thereafter simultaneously operate both gates to control the material flow through both passages, whereby said agitators are placed in motion before said gates are substantially opened.

7. A dispenser for iinely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of discharge passages and arranged for gravity flow of the material to both passages, a gate for each passage, each of the gates being pivotally mounted for movement in a horizontal plane, one of the gates having a now controlling member adjustable thereon to provide for a rate of now through the associated passage substantially equal to the rate of flow through the other passage, and means for simultaneously operating both gates.

8. A dispenser for iinely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of discharge passages and arranged for gravity flow of the material to both passages, 'a gate for one passage,

a second gate for the other passage comprising a plate, a pin mounted on the plate, a flow controlling plate shiftable on vthe rst-named plate, and an adjusting screw threaded in the pin and engageable with the iiow controlling plate to provide for a rate of iiow through the associated passage substantially equal to the rate of ow through the other passage, and means for simultaneously operating both gates.

9. A dispenser Ior nnely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of substantially vertical discharge passages and arranged for gravity ilow of the material to both passages, an agitator in the container for maintaining the material in a loosened condition, driving means clutch-connected to the agitator, a pivoted gate for each passage, each of said gates being movable in a plane transverse to said passages, means connecting said gates for simultaneous movement, and control means including a rigid member connected with the clutch of the driving means and with one of said gates arranged and constructed to preliminarily connect the driving means to the agitator and thereafter simultaneously operate both gates to control the material flow through both passages.

l0. A dispenser for finely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of discharge passages and arranged for gravity flow of the material to both passages, an agitator in the container for maintaining the material in a loosened condition, driving means for the agitator, a clutch interposed between the driving means and agitator, a pivoted gate for each passage, the gates being interconnected midway between their pivots for simultaneous movement through equal angles, one of the gates including first and second surfaces inclined and transverse, respectively, to the axis of the clutch, a cam roller guided by the surfaces and connected to the clutch for actuating the same, the cam roller contacting the first surface when the gates are closed, and means for actuating the cammed gate to thereby cause the cam roller to successively traverse the rst and second cam surfaces, the latter being arranged and adapted to effect a preliminary connection of the driving means to the agitator and thereafter a simultaneous positioning of both gates to control the material flow through both passages.

11. A dispenser for nely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of discharge passages and arranged for gravity ilow of the material to both passages, a iirst pivoted gate for regulating flow through one passage, said gate having a projection on one end thereof, a second pivoted gate having a recess in one end thereof receiving said projection so that said second gate is rockably connected to the first gate for regulating the iiow through the other passage, said gates being rockable in a common plane, and means for iocking the first gate to thereby simultaneously control the ow through both passages.

12. A dispenser for nely divided materials comprising a container having a pair of spaced vertical discharge passages and arranged for gravity ow of the material to both passages, a horizontal pivoted gate for each passage, the gates being pivotally interconnected midway between their pivots for simultaneous movement through equal angles transversely of said passages, said gates being movable in a common plane, and means for operating one of the gates simultaneously control the ow.

to thereby through both passages.

13. A dispenser for iinely divided materials comprising a container having a discharge passage and arranged for gravity flow of the material to the passage, an agitator in the container for maintaining the material in a loosened condition, driving means clutch-connected to the agitator, a pivotally mounted gate for the passage, means for turning said gate on its pivot, and means actuable by turning movement of said gate for effecting engagement of the clutch of said driving means.

14. A dispenser for iinely divided materials comprising a container having a passage and arranged for gravity 110W of the material to the passage, an agitator in the container for maintaining the material in a loosened condition, driving means for the agitator, a clutch interposed between the driving means and agitator, a pivoted gate for controlling the material flow through the passage and having first and second surfaces inclined and transverse, respectively, to the axis of the clutch, a cam guided by the surfaces and connected to the clutch for actuating the same, the cam contacting the l'irst surface When the gate is closed, and means for actuating the gate to thereby cause the cam to successively traverse the rst and second cam surfaces, the latter being arranged and adapted to effect a preliminary connection of the driving means to the agitator and thereafter a positioning of the gate to contrel the material flow through the passage.

WALTER S. FINNELL. 

